The Warring States Period saw the use of many weapons: halberds, spears, swords, bows, crossbows, chariots, etc. Weapons from that period were either bronze or iron. Bronze had been used for weapon making for a long time, however it was quite expensive to produce since it required both copper and tin. Iron on the other hand was more readily available and therefore cheaper. As Cao Hangan from the Macao Musuem of Art writes "During the Spring & Autumn Period of the Warring States Period, China invented many superior casting processes like the wrought iron technique, crude iron technique, wrought steel technique, cast iron technique, cast iron for decarburized steel technique, tempering technique and standardized iron casting technique."
The Spear
Spear head, Warring States Period, 22.5cm, unearth from Sichuan Province from www.ycgf.org
Qiangs or Spears were the most common weapons for infantry, Calvary, and Chariots, varying in size depending on the user with the tips would be made from bronze or iron. Spears were used offensively in infantry and Calvary charges and defensively to repel enemy Calvary charges. Spears could also be thrown for a short distance, though throwing spears are much smaller and lighter than normal spears. Today we mostly find spear points as the shaft, made of material like bamboo, has degraded.
The Sword
2 Bronze and 1 Iron Sword
Jians or Swords were often weapons of the infantry coupled with a shield. The sword was most likely borrowed from the steppes around the 6th century BC (Gernnet 66). Bronze swords very still very popular even with the rise of iron weapons. They ranged anywhere from 74.5 cm in length to 31.8 cm in length and were double edged with round pommels and grips . Past archaeological findings from the Terracota Warriorshave revealed swords that have been chromate oxidized, a coating technique thousands of years old in China. The Macao Museum of Art has a great section o bronze and iron weapons with accurate dates and measurements.
The Crossbow
Bronze crossbow handle from www.wikimedia.org
One of the most famous weapons of the Warring States Period was the crossbow. It was invented primarily to combat invading nomads but saw widespread use in the in the armies of the Warring States. Crossbows were easy to mass produce and one could therefore outfit an army of untrained soldiers with a deadly powerful weapon. Crossbows had greater range than composite bows but the power depending on the cocking and trigger mechanism. The crossbows fired bolts with either bronze or iron tips. Bronze heads were used for a long time despite being more costly than iron. The reason being that bronze tips were more finely cast while iron ones were more simple (Donald B. Wagner 157).
The Halberd
Bronze Halberd
The Halberd or Ge is sometimes referred to as the "Dagger-Axe"was a weapon that had been in use since the Shang Dynasty (1600 BC–1046 BC) but saw more widespread use in the Warring States Period. The Halberd is a dagger like blade that is mounted by the grip with a spear point so it can be used for thrusting and swinging in battle. It varied from 9 to 18 feet in length. The conquering Qin dynasty has been notedto have produced millions of these in their time
The Chariot
Terracota warrior on a 4 horse drawn chariot
The Chariot was a symbol of rank and status and a very formidable weapon in warfare, it was the ancient worlds tank. Charioteers had an arsenal of weapons at their disposal: bows, crossbows, spears, and swords. Chariots were used as schock troops to disrupt enemy infantry formations. However, they were only useful on flat terrain and so deployment was situational. Chariots also served as mobile commanding platforms and carriers (Britannica).The rise of the Calvary in terms of tactical superiority and because of the shift of focus from trained aristocrats to peasants saw the usage of chariots specifically for ceremonial purposes and displays of wealth.
Weapons
The Warring States Period saw the use of many weapons: halberds, spears, swords, bows, crossbows, chariots, etc. Weapons from that period were either bronze or iron. Bronze had been used for weapon making for a long time, however it was quite expensive to produce since it required both copper and tin. Iron on the other hand was more readily available and therefore cheaper. As Cao Hangan from the Macao Musuem of Art writes "During the Spring & Autumn Period of the Warring States Period, China invented many superior casting processes like the wrought iron technique, crude iron technique, wrought steel technique, cast iron technique, cast iron for decarburized steel technique, tempering technique and standardized iron casting technique."
The Spear
Qiangs or Spears were the most common weapons for infantry, Calvary, and Chariots, varying in size depending on the user with the tips would be made from bronze or iron. Spears were used offensively in infantry and Calvary charges and defensively to repel enemy Calvary charges. Spears could also be thrown for a short distance, though throwing spears are much smaller and lighter than normal spears. Today we mostly find spear points as the shaft, made of material like bamboo, has degraded.
The Sword
Jians or Swords were often weapons of the infantry coupled with a shield. The sword was most likely borrowed from the steppes around the 6th century BC (Gernnet 66). Bronze swords very still very popular even with the rise of iron weapons. They ranged anywhere from 74.5 cm in length to 31.8 cm in length and were double edged with round pommels and grips . Past archaeological findings from the Terracota Warriorshave revealed swords that have been chromate oxidized, a coating technique thousands of years old in China. The Macao Museum of Art has a great section o bronze and iron weapons with accurate dates and measurements.
The Crossbow
One of the most famous weapons of the Warring States Period was the crossbow. It was invented primarily to combat invading nomads but saw widespread use in the in the armies of the Warring States. Crossbows were easy to mass produce and one could therefore outfit an army of untrained soldiers with a deadly powerful weapon. Crossbows had greater range than composite bows but the power depending on the cocking and trigger mechanism. The crossbows fired bolts with either bronze or iron tips. Bronze heads were used for a long time despite being more costly than iron. The reason being that bronze tips were more finely cast while iron ones were more simple (Donald B. Wagner 157).
The Halberd
The Halberd or Ge is sometimes referred to as the "Dagger-Axe"was a weapon that had been in use since the Shang Dynasty (1600 BC–1046 BC) but saw more widespread use in the Warring States Period. The Halberd is a dagger like blade that is mounted by the grip with a spear point so it can be used for thrusting and swinging in battle. It varied from 9 to 18 feet in length. The conquering Qin dynasty has been notedto have produced millions of these in their time
The Chariot
These images were taken from the following websites:History Cultural ChinaNational Geographic Blog
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Armor